Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

[hostage]

We are having our wedding in spring and I am floored how many DJ's cost a lot of money. There is a band I really like that will cost us about $800 for a 3 piece band for 4 hours. Granted they aren't a top-40 band, mostly jazz, beetles, Eric Clapton, and even some Doors. We are thinking of having them early then hiring a DJ for about 2-3 hours for later at night. Two DJ's quoted us $1,000 and $1,200. I am wondering about using an ipod for the last couple of hours. A band feels classier and my fiance and I discussed it a bit, though it feels like band + maybe DJ will be the best of both worlds.

-Hostage

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

A good dj will give you more choices, and interact with guest

 

[tazrig]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

I used to be in the wedding business. For the likely quality you will get with an $800 band you would be better off going with a good DJ. Bands are better but much more expensive for a good one that can really play a good variety of music, adjust to the mood of your guests, play accordingly and run and coordinate the weddings entertainment for you. (toasts, cake cutting, bouquet toss etc.) A band or DJ can make or break what should be a great day for you. Make sure you go to see the band and or the DJ at least twice at an actual wedding to see how they perform and work with the guests. Best of luck and congrats on the big day!

 

[hostage]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

I have seen the band play 3 times and I loved them every time. I was blown away about their price. A lot of wedding bands seem to be a lot more expensive. So we are going to use them for cocktail hour, dinner, and a little after. Then after cake cutting the DJ will get to work, if we get one.

 

[mrmagrath]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

I'm a radio announcer who DJ's for friends and family as a hobby. It's quite a skill to read the crowd and keep the floor full! One wrong song, and you have about 4 minutes of agony until you can get it cranking again! Can I suggest a cheaper option for the dance part of the wedding? A laptop connected to a PA streaming a playlist from grooveshark.com. I did a playlist for a friend's party, and it worked a treat! Right, time to get back to researching my ignition issues! All the best for the future!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

I have been photographing weddings on the side for over 20 years now, and all I can say, is yes, we are all overpriced and we are all underpaid, doing weddings is probably one of the most stressful things I do.

Good luck, may you be blessed on your special day.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

Good DJ is worth every penny. Bad DJ is worth less than a penny. Reputation and seeing is believing are invaluable. Seems like you know the band and are happy with them already.
All the best for your big day.

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

We are having our wedding in spring and I am floored how many DJ's cost a lot of money. There is a band I really like that will cost us about $800 for a 3 piece band for 4 hours. Granted they aren't a top-40 band, mostly jazz, beetles, Eric Clapton, and even some Doors. We are thinking of having them early then hiring a DJ for about 2-3 hours for later at night. Two DJ's quoted us $1,000 and $1,200. I am wondering about using an ipod for the last couple of hours. A band feels classier and my fiance and I discussed it a bit, though it feels like band + maybe DJ will be the best of both worlds.

-Hostage

Oh boy, I will be traveling down this road shortly. The fiance and I have set a destination wedding date of Feb 25th in Maui. Kinda liked the last minute idea as it gives less time to think about things. 9 guests total but the reception is going to be huge... at least from my side as I have a lot of friends, family and business associate that I know will want to come.

We were planning on doing like an open-house at the soon-to-be in-laws with a DJ. So $1000 is what I have to look forward to...not fun. :facepalm:

 

[korygrandy]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

I'm a radio announcer who DJ's for friends and family as a hobby. It's quite a skill to read the crowd and keep the floor full! One wrong song, and you have about 4 minutes of agony until you can get it cranking again! Can I suggest a cheaper option for the dance part of the wedding? A laptop connected to a PA streaming a playlist from grooveshark.com. I did a playlist for a friend's party, and it worked a treat! Right, time to get back to researching my ignition issues! All the best for the future!

I like this idea...hookup a PA system and have a good buddy take some initial requests...maybe let people write down requests but go into it knowing a few key songs you want with a bunch of classics lined up.

I am a total geek so this might work for my reception but I just dont want to be playing DJ.

 

[jkust]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

I'm an in the closet band hater. Whenever I go to a function, even the best band with only a few exceptions i'd say at least recently pail in comparison to the real music. Especially with an age diverse crowd. Just as a comparison, there was a sort or report published a few months ago and high end DJ's (the famouse ones like the guy on Jersey Shore) make millions and millions of dollars a year. That I don't get.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

Weddings have been evolving from ceremonies to parties to what had become an industry. About the time I stopped photographing weddings, in my opinion they were going from and industry to now being a "racket."

Find something you can afford to do, and that you'll enjoy as a memory ... it'll likely be a whirlwind that day, and you'll only notice portions of it.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

hostage I don't know you but let me ask you a question that likely will help you throughout your marriage


What does she want?


and so your decision is made....

Or you could do what I did, and two divorces later....LOL Do you want to be right or do you want to be Happy? of course Happy becomes relative but thats a whole nother thread!!

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

I'm an in the closet band hater. Whenever I go to a function, even the best band with only a few exceptions i'd say at least recently pail in comparison to the real music. Especially with an age diverse crowd. Just as a comparison, there was a sort or report published a few months ago and high end DJ's (the famouse ones like the guy on Jersey Shore) make millions and millions of dollars a year. That I don't get.

Most bands, don't sound so well, unless they have the full support of a team, I had occasion to watch many bands around the world rehearse at different venues while I was in the service and until the full production team got there, got them plugged and everything adjusted, they are never going to sound like they do on the albums(or CD's for you youngsters)

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Are DJ's over priced for weddings?

Weddings have been evolving from ceremonies to parties to what had become an industry. About the time I stopped photographing weddings, in my opinion they were going from and industry to now being a "racket."

Find something you can afford to do, and that you'll enjoy as a memory ... it'll likely be a whirlwind that day, and you'll only notice portions of it.

Heck, if he is like me, he won't remember any of it!


:laugh: